Department wants to publicize anonymous tip line
The Hollister Police Department was named WeTIP
”
Police Department of the Year for 2008.
”
WeTIP is a national nonprofit organization that takes anonymous
crime tips from callers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands. Hollister’s police department signed up for the
service last year and has been funding the program for the entire
county.
Department wants to publicize anonymous tip line
The Hollister Police Department was named WeTIP “Police Department of the Year for 2008.”
WeTIP is a national nonprofit organization that takes anonymous crime tips from callers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Hollister’s police department signed up for the service last year and has been funding the program for the entire county.
It was the first time WeTIP staff could recall a city funding participation for an entire county, according to a press release. Hollister City Manager Clint Quilter and the city council were in support of funding all of San Benito County.
“The reason to do this program for the whole county is that we recognize crime doesn’t have borders,” Miller said. “It’s throughout the county and not just limited to Hollister.”
The same number is used for every participating department, making it easy for people in other regions or states to report on crimes. It offers complete anonymity to people who call in, according to Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller. Staff at WeTIP can’t even tell the identity of the people calling.
“WeTIP offers a truly anonymous process,” Miller said.
Miller accepted the award on behalf of the department at WeTIP’s National Conference in Riverside on April 23-24.
“This is another example of how the city of Hollister and the county of San Benito are working together to address the gang problem,” Miller said, in a press release.
WeTIP was founded in 1972 as a way for police departments to gather anonymous tips while offering rewards of up to $1,000 that lead to the arrest and conviction of crime suspects. The local department signed on in October 2008 in hopes of combating a growing gang problem.
“We’ve only been in it since October, but we had a few tips,” Miller said. “Some have been good information.”
The goal now is to increase awareness of the tip line so that more residents know how to use it.
Residents can still report crimes at the local police department, but those who prefer to offer tips anonymously can use the WeTIP line to report gang-related incidents, burglary, arson, robbery, graffiti or any other type of crime.
Anyone with information on a crime can call 1-800-78-CRIME (1-800-782-7463.)
